SF 49er Arik Armstead funds enrichment programs for kids in Sacramento public housing

(Sacramento, CA) Sept. 28 - Mayor Darrell Steinberg joined hometown star Arik Armstead of the San Francisco 49ers and Doug Shoemaker of Mercy Housing California Tuesday to celebrate Armstead’s $250,000 contribution to academic, leadership and athletic programs for young people living in Land Park’s affordable housing complexes.

The Armstead Academy is a new initiative in the ongoing partnership between the football star, the Armstead Academic Project, and Mercy Housing to provide a wide range of academic programming for K-12 students in Armstead’s hometown of Sacramento. Offerings will include college trips, enrichment activities and leadership development.

The young scholars in the first class of Armstead Academy participants began coaching, tutoring, and leadership development sessions in late September, coinciding with the beginning of the school year. Students in the program will work with Mercy Housing California mentors to develop the skills to set and achieve their educational, career, and life goals throughout the academic year.

The Armstead Academy will provide services at the Land Park Woods community room but the programming is not limited to residents of Land Park Woods. K-12 students who live in the Marina Vista and Alder Grove public housing communities are also eligible. The K-6 grade slots are currently full but the academy does still have open slots for 7th-12th grade. To learn more visit the program’s registration page.

left to right, Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, Arik Armstead, Mayor Darrell Steinberg

“Working with the Armstead Academic Project is energizing because Arik and team both recognize the potential that lies within young people and understand the keys to unlocking it,” said Doug Shoemaker, President of Mercy Housing California, a leading nonprofit housing developer providing service-enriched affordable homes to more than 20,000 residents throughout the state.

The Armstead Academy builds on a five-year partnership between Mr. Armstead’s Armstead Academic Project and Mercy Housing California. Mr. Armstead has engaged Mercy Housing youth in free football camps and health clinics, sponsored field trips to the Imaginarium and Levi’s Stadium, and invited youth to hands-on career exploration opportunities. In May of 2020, Mr. Armstead fought to close the “digital divide” by donating and personally delivering 350 Chromebooks to Sacramento-area students living in Mercy Housing California residences.

"It is so important that we level the playing field for our kids who come from historically disadvantaged communities," said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. "Partners like Arik and Mercy Housing are doing fantastic work to create opportunities for our youth, build their resilience, and provide a helping hand where it is needed most."

Mayor Steinberg plays a little school yard football with some of the youth in attendance.